Lessons from the Bamboo Farmer
Sharon Jaynes
(In honor of Mother’s Day, Sharon’s devotion will focus on motherhood.)
Today’s Truth
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary (Galatians 6:9 NASB).
Friend to Friend
For years I told people that I was in labor for 23 hours. However, the truth is more like 21 years. Being a mother has been the most fulfilling, frustrating, exciting, exhausting, mind-boggling, hair-raising thrilling tiring, stimulating, soul-stirring, delightful, difficult, consuming, laborious, uplifting, inspiring, challenging, captivating, and rewarding job I’ve ever had. Did I mention difficult? I should have gotten a clue when I was told that having a child begins with a word called “labor.”
I’ve had times when I felt like throwing up my hands in frustrations and saying, “I quit!” Is what I’m doing making any difference to anyone? I want results! Show me results! Then I think about the bamboo tree.
When the Chinese plant bamboo, first they plant the seeds, then water, and fertilize them. The first year, nothing happens. The second year they continue to water and fertilize the seeds, and still nothing happens. The farmer continues this process for a third and fourth year with no visual results. Then sometime during the fifth year, in a period of approximately six weeks, the Chinese bamboo grows ninety feet.
The question is, did it grow ninety feet in six weeks or did it grow ninety feet in five years? The obvious answer is that it grew ninety feet in five years. If the grower hadn’t applied water and fertilizer every year, there would be no bamboo.
It is the same way with raising children. We pour into their lives. We plant seeds of character, pull weeds with discipline, water with prayer, and fertilize with encouraging words. Then one day, if we are persistent and consistent, we will see beautiful results.
If you are in the midst of raising your children, or even a parent of grown children waiting to see the results, I want to encourage you to press on. Don’t give up! Keep praying! Keep encouraging! Keep loving! And one day, when you least expect it, your child will “rise up and call you blessed.”
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, sometimes I get really tired and frustrated as a mom. When I grow discouraged, will You help me to keep the goal before me … to raise a child who is a man or woman after God’s own heart? Help me to remember that You, as my Heavenly Parent, never give up on me. Even when You don’t see the results that You desire, You continue to love, nurture and teach me. Thank You for being my example of persistent and consistent love.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Now it’s your turn
Make a list of character traits that you long to see in your child.
What seeds are you planting in his or her heart to produce such a crop?
Make a list of glimpses of good fruit that you see budding in your child this week.
Let’s pray for each other and our children.
Log onto www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes, share your prayer request, and then pray for the person above and below your entry.
If you need a bit of encouragement in the motherhood department, click on this video message I recorded for moms. You can find it on my homepage at www.sharonjaynes.com. You might want to share this with a friend who is feeling a bit discouraged. It’s sure to lift her spirits!
More from the Girlfriends
Being a mom is the most difficult and rewarding job in life! If you would like more encouragement in this important calling from God, see Sharon’s book, Being a Great Mom, Raising Great Kids!
Ocean's Edge Music - I Will Ever Sing
A really pretty song written by Clay Hecocks of Ocean's Edge Music,
Calvary Chapel in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
A TEARDROP FROM EARTH SUMMONS THE KING OF HEAVEN....
"I set a watchman over you and told you to LISTEN for the sound of the WAR trumpet!"
But they said, "We will not LISTEN." Jeremiah 6:12
TAKE AWAY POINTS TO CONSIDER
"In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was hear because of his reverent submission." Hebrews 5:7
"Tears shed for self are tears of weakness, but tears shed for others are a sign of strength." William Franklin (Billy) Graham
"The Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to streams for life-giving water, and God will wipe all tears from their eyes." Revelation 7:17
OBSERVATION
This morning here in beautiful Georgia the birds are singing, the sun is brightly shining and the flowers are blooming. I had a good nights rest and I woke up happy. I don't know about you but I just loved opening my e-mail box and reading this Mother's day devotional from Sharon Jaynes of Girfriends in God that touched my heart.
Now for the bad news.
Today's scripture reading from the Holy Spirit comes from Jeremiah Chapter 6 verse 17-18. This is the second time this week that the Holy Spirit has shared these verses written by Jeremiah when the city of Jerusalem was surrounded. So either this is a spiritual battle or some other kind of war that brings tears and mourning.
Beloved, we don't need to know specifics, we just need to know that Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. During times like this and with so much uncertainity going on in the world I'd like to please encourage everyone to seriously pray about this matter because we don't have specifics.
Pray for the lost that they will be found, pray for the truth so that it can be seen clearly. Heavenly Father you know what is in our hearts and what makes us cry. Hear our prayers and supplications. Forgive us our sins and deliver us from evil. When the war trumpet sounds, we summon you the KING OF HEAVEN to come to our rescue and protect us. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The LORD's Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.
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